Van Helsing's Sister, Dracula's Bride
The Journey to Rome
"I have manners," Carl scoffs," I've seen some things." I roll my eyes at his bravado slash male pride.
"Whatever you say," I say skeptically, opening the coach door and gesturing for him to get in. He steps onto the running board and his eyes widen to the size of dinner plates when he sees the other passenger.
"I'm staring," he says in a frightened voice, jumping to the ground and standing behind me. "Is that a man?"
"Seven," I reply, smiling at Carl. The monster sat on one of the velvet benches, chained to the back wall of the coach. I grab Carl and force him onto the bench opposite of the monster. It, or should I say he, rattles the chains that are binding him.
"By exposing me, you have condemned me," he roars," me and all of humanity!" I turn my head to look at Carl.
"Be nice to him, he's a little frightened." Before Carl can reply, I shut the coach door.
"Get in the coach," Van Helsing tells me. I turn and head towards the coach he'll be driving, but he stops me with a hand on my shoulder. "I meant with Carl." I open my mouth to argue but he covers it with his other hand and forces me next to Carl inside the coach.
I try to open the door, but Van Helsing was stronger. "Just stay in there Marishka," he commands," stay and keep the guys company." I give a low growl, using the last of my strength to force the door open, causing Van Helsing to stumble backwards.
"Air," I shout, falling face first onto the snow covered ground. My brother grabs the back of my cloak and hauls me to my feet. When we had arrived at the manor Anna let me borrow some clothes; I'm now wearing and outfit exactly like hers, bloody corset and all, the only difference being my shirt was dark red with white designs instead of the other way around. Does no woman around here believe in dresses?
"Why can you not do as I say?" I shrug, wrapping my cloak tighter around me. He picks me up and places me on the bench of the coach he'll be driving, finally seeing things my way. Inside it, I know, are dozens of very pointy stakes. He climbs up to sit next to me, taking up the reins and we begin to move.
We are moving quickly through the woods; it was as if the horses sensed the need to hurry! "Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we go," I sing softly until my fingertips begin to tingle from the cold.
"Take the reins," my brother says," try not to let go."
"Yes, sir," I hold the reins tightly as he takes up his crossbow, ready to fire at a moment's notice. Not long afterwards, Verona swoops down and grabs him from his spot beside me, the crossbow flying from his hands. He jerks out of Verona's grasp and falls onto the thing that connects the horses to each other before climbing onto the lead horse's back. The horse's stride doesn't falter as we continue to follow the barely distinguishable path. "You okay?" I glance around us, completely paranoid.
"Just peachy," Van Helsing yells sarcastically. He stays low and I can hear him quietly urging the horses to go faster. We both know that Verona isn't finished yet, she was just beginning her line of attacks; Aleera probably wasn't too far behind! The brides can be seen circling in the ink colored sky as we approach a hairpin turn.
Van Helsing hunkers down even more, shooting a worried glance in my direction. The team flies around the corner at full speed, kicking up rocks and dirt. I have to hold onto the bench to keep from falling off the coach, the reins falling out of my hands. I can feel my hold begin to lesson as my strength began, once again, to fade.